For
centuries different societies have designed many creative ways
to measure the shaking of the earth. Nearly 2000 years ago, for
example, the ancient Chinese made a special vase that had several
sculpted dragons mounted all around the sides of the vase. Each
dragon held in its mouth a metal ball. When the ground shook,
some of the balls would fall from the mouths of the dragons into
the waiting mouths of the sculpted frogs to show how the ground
had moved.
Questions to Consider
What modern technology is available for geologists to measure
earthquakes?
How far can an earthquake wave reach?
How does this data help determine where in the world an earthquake
occurs?
What methods have been used to predict earthquakes?
Should scientists be researching methods to prevent large earthquakes
from occuring?
For
centuries different societies have designed many creative ways
to measure the shaking of the earth. Nearly 2000 years ago, for
example, the ancient Chinese made a special vase that had several
sculpted dragons mounted all around the sides of the vase. Each
dragon held in its mouth a metal ball. When the ground shook,
some of the balls would fall from the mouths of the dragons into
the waiting mouths of the sculpted frogs to show how the ground
had moved.
